Polish media have widely quoted the man’s two-page protest leaflet, shared on social media by witnesses.

“I love freedom first and that is why I decided to immolate myself and I hope that my death will shake the consciences of many people,” Piotr S. wrote, identifying himself as “an ordinary man, just like you.”

He accused Jaroslaw Kaczynski, head of the governing Law and Justice (PiS) party, of “having blood on his hands”.

Poland’s foreign minister in August denied accusations his EU country was drifting towards authoritarianism amid a string of government reforms that have triggered mass protests at home and warnings from the EU.